Rising river imperils Schenectady's Stockade

In what one official called a "500-year-flood" event, Schenectady prepares

By CATHY WOODRUFF Staff writer

Updated 12:19 am, Monday, August 29, 2011

SCHENECTADY -- The swelling Mohawk River spilled into Schenectady's historic Stockade section late Sunday, leading city officials to warn residents to leave ahead of rising water expected to overrun the entire neighborhood.

Floodwaters were rising by the minute and were expected to reach Erie Boulevard or Broadway on Monday, meaning homes in lower lying sections of the Stockade near the river could be submerged under several feet of water.

Schenectady was one of many upstate municipalities that faced dangerous levels of flooding in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.

More Information

Acting Mayor Gary McCarthy said the river was expected to begin flooding Sunday evening and would continue to rise, reaching a crest of 235 feet -- 12 feet over flood stage -- at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

The flood was expected to reach far deeper into the city and into the village of Scotia than in floods of recent decades, swelling to Erie Boulevard and, perhaps, Broadway in downtown Schenectady, he said.

Adding to the neighborhood's woes, power failed late Sunday, as residents rushed to leave.

"Soon as we find the cat, we're outta here," said Don Madison, abandoning his North Ferry Street home for Broadalbin. "All you can do is move things upstairs and hope for the best."

Police officers were posted in Polacek Square and roamed the Stockade's streets late Sunday, urging residents to evacuate.

This was confusing for some residents of Union Street close to Erie, which historically doesn't flood. "I'm more afraid of the winds than the water," said Jorge Luis Alvarez, 63.

The city set up an emergency shelter at the new Bureau of Services garage on Foster Avenue.

"This is not a routine Stockade flooding event. This is an extraordinary event," Della Rocco said.

"Because of that, we are looking at hours of flooding, just to get to the crest. This is a long term event."

The city was nearing flood stage early Sunday evening and was expected to hit the previous record level of 229 feet, set in 1914, sometime overnight, said Della Rocco.

"This is not a typical water event in the Stockade," McCarthy said. "It is a major event that is going to have a significant impact on the city."

City emergency workers were going door-to-door in the Stockade neighborhood advising people to evacuate and distributing informational leaflets, McCarthy said.

Della Rocco said residents should take their pets with them, gather up medications and try to turn of power to their homes before leaving. McCarthy said residents should prepare for an extended period of high water. Residents who need help getting out of their homes should call the Fire Department at 374-7744.